by Carol Bond

Manipulating versus managing—this was an interesting topic that came up at a recent meeting of managers. We didn’t have enough time to talk about it very much, but the topic continued to come to the forefront of my thoughts from time to time over the next few weeks. What is the difference between manipulation of people and motivation of people by managing information? Is there a real difference? Is it wrong to want to present information in a way that results in a positive reaction? Is it wrong to work at understanding someone who works for me enough to know how to motivate him? I concluded that the key difference between the bad connotation of manipulation and the positive bent of good management was motivation. How can I manage in such a way that people will recognize the difference? How can I (and those I lead) be sure that my motives aren’t selfish?

In his 1828 dictionary, Webster defined manipulation as “to work with the hand.” How different the modern dictionaries are that tend toward a definition like “shrewd or devious management, especially for one’s own advantage.” The original meaning of the word did not encompass motive, but it did deal with method. It was used of chemists, doctors, craftsmen, and those who used careful, patient pressure and touch to create and repair. It isn’t too hard to imagine that the word actually could have had the morally sound connotation of managing people with great care—creating character as well as repairing broken people and relationships. What happened to the word? It is obviously no longer a word with which we want to be associated because of its tones of deceit, selfishness, and sneakiness. If I plot and plan to lay a snare or trick people into making a choice that benefits me, not only are my motives selfish, but also my methods have become suspect.

First Corinthians 10 helps managers in ministry establish principles that will help them manage rather than manipulate their team by managing information in a way that creates in others godly character, edifies each individual, and builds up the team. The following five principles from this chapter phrased as questions are extremely helpful in making life choices that please God and for a study of managing information.

Is it biblical? “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor 10:21–22). Consider the following handful of verses from the many in Psalms and Proverbs that refer to the careful management of the information. It is biblical to use wisdom in the amount and the timing of the information that I give out.

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psa 141:3). “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Pro 9:8– 9).
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Pro 10:19).
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Pro 11:13).
“A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness” (Pro 12:23).
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them” (Pro 14:3).
“The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness” (Pro 15:2).
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Pro 17:9).
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Pro 21:23).
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Pro 29:11).

Is it helpful? “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Cor 10:23). A study of the verses above and a bit of observation and experience can answer this question. The most obvious conclusion is that being careless or foolish in revealing all that I know causes much harm. For instance, if I were to reveal all the facts that led me to decide to reassign a task or give someone time off to take care of a family
matter, it might cause unnecessary pain to an individual. That is not helpful! It can be seen that careless words, even true words, spoken without applying the love of God often hurt people both directly and indirectly. Consider 1 Cor 13:4–8a: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.” This passage should govern our thoughts, words, and motives. Motivated by love, the wise management of information helps individuals and teams.

Is it selfish? “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor 10:24). This goes to the heart of motive. Am I motivated by love? Remember that the goal of the manager in ministry is to manage information in a way that creates in others godly character, edifies each individual, and builds up the team. If I am to succeed at this in God’s eyes, my motives must not be selfish. But, “The heart is deceitful . . . and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9)—can I know my own heart? Psalm 15:2–5 describes a man whose character permits him to have the favor and friendship of God: “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” What a great checklist for evaluating my heart and eliminating selfishness as my motive!

Does it glorify God? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). When people are edified, teams are united, and character is built, God is glorified. When my team grows to love, trust, and honor each other, God is glorified. When I ask God to set a watch before my lips and to give me wisdom, He is glorified. When godly character is built and wise choices are made, God is glorified.

Does it cause others to sin? “Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:32–33). If my motives are suspect, I may cause others to sin. Bitterness, envy, malice, wrath, anger, strife—these could be the sins of my teammates who feel coerced or tricked. When I am reckless with personal information and a team member is alienated or wounded, he may be tempted to react in a self-protecting, sinful way that hurts the team. If I manage information about potential changes carelessly, I may cause distraction, distress, and frustration instead of being able to help individuals deal with change biblically. If I know God, love people, and speak the truth with wisdom, I can teach godly character as I motivate individuals to work cheerfully for the success of the team. The manager that manipulates others for personal gain will stand in sharp contrast to a manager that loves others and inspires them to demonstrate godly character.

Manipulation has become synonymous with craftiness, selfishness, and pride. It is the power to coerce. But godly management is guided by the wisdom that is from above (Jas 3:17) to present people with choices in a way that leads them to life and godliness. The tool of managing information to motivate people is a powerful one. Don’t be afraid to use it just because it has been misused by ungodly managers to manipulate people, but use it with care and prayer so that the difference will be clear! In order to correctly use this management tool, managers need to correctly apply God’s Word and be guided by the Holy Spirit.